Instead of the title Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen's original title for this book was First Impressions. First impressions play a very vital part in this novel, because they served as the deciding factor most people would use to decide whether or not a person was worthy of marriage or even friendship. The ball in Meryton is important to the story's meaning because it shows the reader how many of the characters of the novel meet for the very first time.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." From this opening line, the mentality of the society at that time is set. At the ball, this mentality is seen through the Bennet women. Since the news of the arrival of a wealthy single bachelor, Mr. Bingley, has arrived, Mrs. Bennet, without even meeting him, has already decided that one of her daughters will marry him. At the ball, Mr. Bingley arrives with his family and a friend named Darcy. Elizabeth's attention does not immediately go to Mr. Bingley however, but instead it goes to his friend Darcy. Thus the stage is set for the two couples, Jane Bennet and Bingley and Darcy and Elizabeth, to meet and to possibly fall in love with each other or at least, one another's status. .
"If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield , I shall have nothing to wish for." After Lady Lucas's ball, it seemed as if Mrs. Bennet's wishes would be fulfilled. Bingley, instantly infatuated by Jane's beauty, dances with her not once, but twice during the course of the night. After the ball, the readers can see the importance of first impressions in the story. Bingley's sisters, after one night of simply looking at her, are able to tell Bingley that he has their approval of Jane. On the other side, Mrs. Bennet too, merely basing off of looks, feels confident that Mr. Bingley is such a "delightful" man. Jane also approves of Bingley after one night also, claiming that he is " just what a young man ought to be sensible, good-humoured, lively .
